Officer, Civil Rights

Job Description:

Officer, Civil Rights

Description

Minimum Qualifications

• Graduation with a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in business administration, public administration, political science, or a field related to the job, plus five (5) years of direct work experience providing professional guidance on civil rights laws, investigative procedures, legal compliance, and contract administration, including three (3) years of experience which were in a managerial capacity.

Licenses and Certifications Required:

• None.

Notes to Applicants

To view the detailed Recruitment Profile for this position, please click here.

To view the City of Austin recruitment video, please click here.

Working with the City of Austin provides a number of health and welfare benefits such as low-cost medical, dental, vision, paid leave time, a highly competitive retirement plan, training opportunities and more. Please click HERE for more information.

Regarding Your Application:

• A detailed and complete Employment Application is required. A Resume and Cover Letter are required and will not be accepted in lieu of a complete online Employment Application.
• Verification of employment history dates on resume should match online Employment Application.
• Employment history dates must include month and year.
• This position has been approved for a Criminal Background Investigation ( CBI ).
• To ensure consideration, candidates should apply by April 24, 2025. To apply, candidates must complete this online application. Interested candidates should apply early in the process for optimum consideration.
• This position is subject to the Texas Open Records Act.

If you are selected as a top candidate:
Verification of your education (which may include high school graduation or GED , undergraduate and/or graduate degrees) will be required. You must provide proof of education from an accredited organization/institution and proof of your professional licenses or certifications.
Pay Range
Commensurate
Hours
Monday - Friday: 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
*Hours may vary depending upon business needs.
Job Close Date Type of Posting External Department Management Services Regular/Temporary Regular Grant Funded or Pooled Position Not Applicable Category Professional Location 505 Barton Springs Rd, Austin, TX 78704 Preferred Qualifications
The next Civil Rights Officer will be a collaborative leader and have demonstrated experience with civil rights compliance, enforcement, and investigation processes within an organization or institution. The successful candidate will have experience working in complex environments, a track record of innovative leadership, and a deep understanding of civil rights. The next Civil Rights Officer will be compliance oriented focusing on discrimination in housing and employment.

The following core competencies are important for this role:

Community Collaborator - Experience in presenting complex information strategies to public stakeholders, management, City Manager’s Office, Boards and Commissions, and City Council.

Communicates Effectively - Ability to work with diverse communities and populations to build constructive and effective relationships and convey and receive information.

Exceptional Leadership - A cohesive leader with the ability to build quality interpersonal relationships throughout the City with diverse communities and populations.

Thinks Critically and Strategically - Enables others to better understand and implement the vision and strategy, while being an aligned forward thinker and can formulate and communicate sound business strategy and implement in a clear and concise manner.

Customer Focused - Strives to deliver high-quality results and superior service that exceeds expectations while remaining mindful of the needs and perspectives of both our internal and external stakeholders.
Duties, Functions and Responsibilities
Essential duties and functions, pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include the following. Other related duties may be assigned.
Directs and manages the Civil Rights function for the City of Austin, including developing and monitoring a clear vision for the office; promoting improvement and change; overseeing fiscal, legal, and regulatory requirements; monitoring and evaluating programs; and ensuring alignment with Office objectives. Advances the City’s non-discrimination efforts by prioritizing and implementing initiatives with internal, business, and external community stakeholders throughout the City to strategically identify core priorities for programmatic development and process improvement; develops comprehensive metrics and performance measures to track, evaluate, and report on the effectiveness of initiatives; and recommends changes to improve outcomes. Plans, creates, implements, and promotes outreach, education, and awareness events for both businesses and community stakeholders. Represents the City and the Office in public speaking engagements and at events. Works with the City Manager’s Office, Law Department, Mayor and City Council, department heads, and external stakeholders to establish goals, policies, and best practices that address racial equity, social equity, and inclusion for City of Austin residents. Develops and submits proposals for program funding to enhance fair housing and equal employment opportunity ( EEO ) services and awareness. Conducts complaint investigations and oversees recommendations of cause or no cause to City Attorney for prosecution or closure of cases alleging housing discrimination. Interacts with multiple departments to ensure civil rights compliance. Provides executive support to City Boards and Commissions.

Responsibilities- Supervision and/or Leadership Exercised:

Responsible for the full range of supervisory activities including selection, training, evaluation, counseling, and recommendation for dismissal.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
Must possess required knowledge, skills, abilities, and experience and be able to explain and demonstrate, with or without reasonable accommodations, that the essential functions of the job can be performed.

• Knowledge of human rights issues.

• Knowledge of Fair Housing laws and regulations

• Knowledge of EEO laws and regulations

• Knowledge in the management of compliance and inclusion-focused programs.

• Knowledge and understanding of the concepts of equity including experience in applying equity frameworks to established laws, ordinances, and long-standing practices.

• Knowledge of small business programs, public accommodation compliance, environmental justice, or limited English proficiency access.

• Knowledge of Federal, State, and Local employment and housing laws related to Civil Rights, including knowledge of the legal system and court decisions.

• Knowledge of comprehensive supervisory related to management and customer service/public relations practices and procedures.

• Skill in comprehensive public speaking and public relations methods to persuade, negotiate, and mediate issues.

• Skill in navigating political decision-making that may seem to favor one group over another.

• Skill in interpreting technical information and data dealing with complex variables to identify, analyze, and solve practical management problems such as development of audit findings and corrective recommendations.

• Skill in preparing data-driven reports or preparing or administering contracts for highly regulated government programs.

• Ability to use an equity lens and framework to create inclusive, diverse, and safe workplaces and community programs.

• Ability to manage diversity, understand inclusion, and work with diverse communities/populations to build constructive and effective relationships.

• Ability to interpret oral, written, mathematical, legal, statistical, and regulatory information dealing with resilience programs, budgets, grants, regulations or policies, ordinances, and standards.

• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with elected officials, City officials, attorneys, community/business leaders, and the public.

Criminal Background Investigation This position has been approved for a Criminal Background Investigation. EEO/ADA
The City of Austin is committed to compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. If you require reasonable accommodation during the application process or have a question regarding an essential job function, please call (512) 974-3210 or Texas Relay by dialing 7-1-1.

The City of Austin will not discriminate against any applicant or employee based on race, creed, color, national origin, sex, gender identity, age, religion, veteran status, disability, or sexual orientation. In addition, the City will not discriminate in employment decisions on the basis of an individual’s AIDS , AIDS Related Complex, or HIV status; nor will the City discriminate against individuals who are perceived to be at risk of HIV infection, or who associate with individuals who are believed to be at risk.
Information For City Employees: If you are an employee within the department, are in good standing and meet both the minimum and preferred qualifications, then you will receive an initial interview.

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).
* The minimum qualifications for the Civil Rights Officer are: Graduation with a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in business administration, public administration, political science, or a field related to the job, plus five (5) years of direct work experience providing professional guidance on civil rights laws, investigative procedures, legal compliance, and contract administration, including three (3) years of experience which were in a managerial capacity. Do you meet these minimum qualifications?

• Yes
• No

* This position requires a criminal background check. By selecting the following, you are acknowledging that you understand if you are selected as a top candidate for this position, you will need a successful CBI to be hired.

• I acknowledge and understand this position requires a Criminal Background Check.

* How many years of experience do you have with civil rights compliance, enforcement, and investigation processes within an organization or institution?

• None
• 1 - 3 years
• 3 - 6 years
• 6 - 10 years
• 10 or more years

Optional & Required Documents

Required Documents Cover Letter Resume Optional Documents